In what ways is human population ecology similar to and different from that of other organisms? Why is it difficult to determine a carrying capacity for humans? How has the global human population changed from pre?historic times to 1800? From 1800 to the present? What is projected over the next 50 years? What three factors are multiplied to give total environmental impact? Are developed nations exempt from environmental impact? Why or why not? Describe negative and positive impacts of affluence (high individual consumption) on the environment

1. In what ways is human population ecology similar to and different from that of other organisms? Why is it difficult to determine a carrying capacity for humans?

We resemble an exponential, J shaped curve but we also have high levels of parental care and late (and slow) reproductive rates (like history of a slower growing equilibrial species with the growth of r strategist).

It is difficult to determine a carrying capacity for humans because we can deliberately regulate our fertility, human populations are not limited to natural resources, human nutritional requirements are different from that of organisms, and human populations aren't limited by disease

2. How has the global human population changed from pre?historic times to 1800? From 1800 to the present? What is projected over the next 50 years?

Paleolithic (50,000-10,000 years ago) humans lived in small tribes as hunter?gatherers that moved constantly. Predators, disease, and famine were common mortality factors

Neolithic Revolution (12,000 years ago): animal husbandry and agriculture produced abundant food. (Reduced mortality + food = population growth)

The 17th and 18th century led to the birth of modern science and technology.

Industrial Revolution during the 19th century, the development of manufacturing processes using fossil fuels and based on applications of scientific knowledge. (Technology + Fossil Fuels = pollution and resource exploitation)

Medical Revolution resulted in medical advances and public sanitation led to spectacular reductions in mortality, beginning in the late 1800s and extending to the present.

Green Revolution involved the development and introduction of new varieties of (mainly) wheat and rice that have increased yields per acre dramatically in many countries since the 1960s. However, increased erosion, soil and water pollution, loss of native plant varieties, pesticide resistance

Environmental Revolution is the adaptation of humans to the rising deterioration of the environment. The Environmental Revolution should bring about sustainable interactions with the environment.

3. What three factors are multiplied to give total environmental impact? Are developed nations exempt from environmental impact? Why or why not?

I = PAT
Environmental Impact = (Population)(Affluence and Consumption Patterns)(Level of Technology of the Society)

ImPACT
A refinement of the IPAT formula that separates the effects of Technology (T in the equation) into two components that incorporate the different effects of consumption of resources.

Developed nations are not exempt from environmental impact. Wealthier countries can easily afford technology to live a greener lifestyle, give poor quick ways to improve their economies, eventually also take care of environment. However, although wealth allows people to care for their area, it often pushes environmental problems to other, poorer areas.

4. Describe negative and positive impacts of affluence (high individual consumption) on the environment.

US have high environmental impact (from each of us), high population increase
Affluent countries provide amenities such as, safe drinking water, sanitary sewage systems and treatment, collection and disposal of refuse. In the US for example we can afford gas and electricity, not destroying our parks and woodlands - we can afford conservation management, better agricultural practices, pollution control

- Consume may resources - lead in production of pollutants
- Effect of affluence - it enables the wealthy to clean up their immediate environment by transferring their wastes to more distant locations and allows them to obtain resources from more distant location. Also provides people with opportunities to exercise lifestyles choices consistent with concerns fro stewardship/sustainability.
- World's wealthiest 20% are responsible for 76% of natural good consumption

5. How do the population profiles and fertility rates of developed countries differ from those of
   developing countries?

A graying population has a high proportion of elderly

Many European governments have policies to encourage
women to have more children

Child allowances, tax credits, large?family discounts

Many people do not want increased immigration

6. What is meant by population momentum and what is its cause?

Population momentum is a property whereby a rapidly growing human population may be expected to grow for 50-60 years after replacement fertility (2.1 live births per female) is reached. Momentum is sustained because of increasing numbers entering reproductive age.

- In a young population (like Burkina Faso), momentum is positive (small portion in upper age groups and many young people entering their reproductive years)
- In a population (like Europe) momentum is negative (low fertility, shrink population

7. Define crude birthrate (CBR) and crude death rate (CDR). Describe how these rates are used to calculate the percent rate of growth of a population.

Crude birth rate (CBR): the number of births per thousand people per year

Crude death rate (CDR): number of deaths per thousand people per year

CBR - CDR = natural increase (decrease) per 1,000 per year

% increase (decrease) = natural increase (decrease)/10

8. What is meant by the demographic transition? Relate the epidemiologic transition and fertility transition (two elements of demographic transition) to its four phases.

A demographic transition is a shift in birth and death rates from the primitive to the modern societies. So modernization results in lower death rates, better health care, declining fertility rates.

The epidemiologic transition can be seen in Phase II of the demographic transition. It is the pattern of change in mortality factors, such as cancer, cardiovascular disease, and other degenerative diseases. (Declining CDR and high CBR results in rapid population growth)

The fertility transition can be seen in Phase III of the demographic transition. It is the decline of birthrates from high levels to low levels in a population. (Population growth is still significant)

No one is in Phase 1,
but developing countries can be in phase II or III, while developed nations are on Phase IV.

9. What have been the two basic schools of thought regarding the demographic transition? How were these reflected in the three most recent global population conferences?

1. Economic Approach: speed up economic development in high-growth countries... this will cause population growth to slow down 'automatically' as it did in developed countries.
2. Family Planning Approach: Concentration on population policies and family-planning technologies to bring down birthrates.

Heavily debated in most recent global population confrences
- 1974 Population conference in Bucharest, Romania (US strong supporter of family planning and population control. Developing nations support economic development - developed countries jsut looking at economic imperialism and even genocide).
- 1984 Population Conference in Mexico City (Developing countries - ask for more assistance with family planning. US, under pressure of right to life advocates, took position that development was answer and withdrew family planning aid)
- 1994 Population Conference in Cairo (realize poverty, pop. gorwth, development clearly linked. Agreed that population growth must be dealth with.

MADE 4 Main Goals:
1. Womens rights to healthcare, education, employment vital to slowing population growth.
2. development linked to reduction of poverty.
3. existing poverty should not be tolerated.
4. Poverty and development were threat to health of environment.

10. What are the MDGs? Where did they come from?

Millennium Development Goals (MDG's) are sets of goals to reduce extreme proverty and its impacts on human well-being. In 1997, representatives worldwide met to formulate set of goals which led to 8 MDG's and their 17 targets. Goals reinforce eachother and should be worked on together.

1. Eradicate extreme poverty and hunger.
2. Achieve universal primary education.
3. Promote gender equality and empower womem.
4. Reduce child mortality.
5. Improve maternal health.
6. Combat HIv/AIDS, malaria, and other diseases
7. Ensure environmental sustainability.
8. global partnership for development.